How to Care For Alpine Goats

Alpine goats are some of the best animals to have on a farm. Not only are they easy to care for, but they also have positive characteristics that you will enjoy. Knowing how to care for alpine goats will allow you to enjoy your farm even more.

Things You'll Need

• Hay
• Alfalfa pellets
• Sweet corn
• Water bucket
• Bag balm
• Milking area
• Collar
• Hoof clippers
• Brush

Instructions

1. If you have young alpine goats that are not weened yet, make sure they get a combination of food and milk. This age is also a good time to allow your goats to get used to you. At 10 to 12 weeks old, decide whether your goats should keep their horns.

2. You should feed your goats alfalfa hay in the morning and evening. They won't need more than a few mouthfuls each. You can also consider feeding them treats of corn or alfalfa pellets. This gives them some variety and a snack to munch on.

3. Goats need water and a lot of it. Make sure you keep their water bowl filled with fresh water at all times. You can use a bucket or a pan that is just big enough for them to drink out of, but not too big or too small to keep the water in.

4. One of the best parts of having female alpine goats is the ability to get fresh goat milk every day. A milking station will lock them into an area where you can milk them, but they can't move their heads or get away. To keep them from kicking the milk bucket, put a little sweet corn in a can in the front so they can stay occupied. Begin milking female goats by putting bag balm on their utters. Squeeze at the top first, then work your way down. Don't leave any milk in them because this can cause health problems. Milk goats in the morning and in the evening, preferably before they eat their food.

5. Unless you want your goats to run completely wild, make sure you pay attention to what they are doing. If you can walk your goats every other day, it will help to keep them tame and will make it easier to milk them. Do this by wrapping a collar around their neck and walking them down the road or in the backyard.

6. Once or twice a year, you should make sure that your alpine goat is well groomed. Start with clipping their hooves. Make sure the hooves don't get too long or start to bend because this can cause discomfort. Clean the hooves first, then clip them until they are by the white area. You should also groom goats by bathing them once or twice a year and brushing them.

7. A basic goat pen should include some roaming area, as well as a shelter to get out of the rain. Make sure that these areas stay clean by shoveling them as needed. If it gets cold, you can also add hay for temporary insulation.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish